Walking into the enrichment classrooms of the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan Arts & Cultural Troupe (SHHKACT), I was greeted by the lively buzz of voices and laughter. Teachers were guiding students through stories, dramas and games, and what struck me was the natural way the teachers taught using expression, movement, and interaction.

SHHKACT is renowned for its heritage and pioneering spirit in bringing Chinese Speech and Drama to life in Singapore since 1986. With over 180 years of foundation in education and cultural preservation through the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan, the Troupe continues to help students connect to the Chinese language and culture with confidence and joy.

Today, their enrichment courses span from toddlers as young as 18 months to teenagers up to 16 years old, making it one of the most established and trusted names in Chinese enrichment in Singapore.

Learning Chinese Through Stories and Drama

During my visit, I watched a Speech and Drama session unfold. The teacher enraptured a group of energetic students with a story about a cat’s life. She asked questions at key moments, prompting the students to imagine what they would see, hear, or feel if they were in the story.

Their answers flowed in Chinese with a mix of gestures and sounds. The teacher encouraged them to dramatise their responses, such as to sleep like a cat or stretch its claws. Students also created and coloured their own 3D paper cat to take home as a memento of their class topic.

This is Chinese learning at its most alive. Students were learning new vocabulary embodying the language, giving it a voice, feeling and meaning. This helped them develop fluency and confidence, while also nurturing creativity and empathy.

Building Skills Through Movement and Play

Another highlight I observed was how the teachers use movement to reinforce learning. In one class, students were practicing the correct stroke sequence of Chinese characters by tracing them in the air with their arms. The teacher also invited students to write the characters on the whiteboard to demonstrate the correct stroke sequence to their classmates.

Games were also cleverly woven in. In another class, the teacher tested the listening skills of the students by asking them to perform a series of movements only if she mentioned a certain key phrase, “老师” (Teacher says) before the movement.

In another activity, the students had to form groups of ‘trees’ and ‘squirrels’ quickly based on various commands in Chinese, which required listening carefully and responding fast. The game built self-teamwork and empathy of flora and fauna who were at the mercy of forest fires, while also making the practice of Chinese interactive and fun.

Beyond Language: Confidence and Expression

Parents often worry about whether their children will have the confidence to speak Chinese outside of school. In every session I attended, teachers role modelled confidence through using facial expressions, body movements and gestures, and Chinese words to teach the students how to follow accordingly.

Teachers encouraged students to take turns, to speak up, and to present their ideas to the group. The safe and supportive environment allowed even the quieter students to find their voices. Over time, this builds not only fluency but also self-assurance and public speaking skills.

Immersion in Chinese Culture and Values

What sets SHHKACT apart is its emphasis on the Chinese culture. Festivals, current events, and heritage values are all part of the curriculum. For example, students might celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival by learning a legend through drama, reciting a poem, and then making lanterns while conversing in Chinese.

The enrichment programmes are designed to grow with the child. Toddlers begin with Fun Chinese classes where music, rhyme, and play create the foundation for language exposure. As the students progress, SHHKACT helps them practise conversation, storytelling, and exhibit confidence.

Broadcasting, which involves pronunciation recitals in studio sessions, helps students practise clear articulation, confidence in delivery, and a deeper awareness of how their use of the Chinese language can influence others.

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Creative Writing hones critical thinking and expressive skills when teachers guide students to craft imaginative stories, poems and essays that connect their imagination with structure and form that produces an essay which is enjoyable to readers. This continuity allows students to build their Chinese language foundation year by year, with each stage supporting the next.

Why Families Choose SHHKACT

With its long-standing history in Chinese Speech and Drama and its focus on holistic development, SHHKACT offers students confidence and creativity in the Chinese language, cultural grounding, and a sense of identity.

SHHKACT also understands the importance of family involvement. Parents are regularly updated on their children’s progress and invited to watch performances, presentations, and showcases. These opportunities give parents the joy of seeing their children shine and encourage them to support their growth in Chinese language and culture at home. It also helps parents who may not be fluent in Chinese themselves to understand how their children are progressing.

This is the true strength of the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan Arts & Cultural Troupe: it makes Chinese language learning real, engaging, and meaningful for every family.

Learn more about the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan Arts & Cultural Troupe at:

Website: shhkact.com.sg
Facebook: @shhkact
Instagram: @shhk_act

Brought to you by the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan Arts & Cultural Troupe.

By Julia Chan.

The New Age Parents – TNAP Awards 2025

Congratulations to Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan Arts & Cultural Troupe for being the winner of TNAP Awards 2025 (Education) – Best Children Chinese Learning Centre.

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